I am sorry that I feel like I should bump into this topic because I always want to say something about "Made in China".
First, I would agree in these few years, the mainland China has gained an poor and almost odious reputation for all the fakes and those mass-produced garments/electronics etc. and most people would say, including those who are Chinese, "made in China sucks". In fact, the national image of China has been greatly damaged by these inferior products (the factory of the World) and political reasons.
But somehow I have always hold a different position and wanted to argue quite a bit. China, unlike her neighbour countries such as Japan and Korea, closed her door to the world under the regime(may I say regime) for 40 years. While the other Asian regions(including Hong Kong and Taiwan) are developing, China stayed behind in modernization and Mao cut the linkage of modern China from her long-standing traditions. While Europe and Japan have kept their luxury taste and fine craftmenship from centuries ago, NO ONE in half a century praticed them anymore. The Art is lost.
If anyone would look at those remaining silk or embroidery or art pieces(if they are not distroyed in "Cultural Revolution"), I don't think anyone would disagree with the fact that, a century plus a few decades, China have the talent and skills for some of the finest things in World, on par with Japan and Europe and some would agree, superior(no offense!).
So on this issue with China's production, people tend to compare her with Japan or Korea who are HIGHLY developed in taste and skills, and I think it is unfair, for comparing a primary schooler to a master-graduate. Most workers are far from skilled, and can never be compared with the exquisiteness China used to produce. In Japan, years are allowed for the top artisians to produce best fabric etc., but since China today is so money-concentrated, they exploited those artisians who should be valued, trying to squeeze the most for profit and more money.
And now, would I feel the stigma when I see luxury goods made in China? Yes, I do. One of my family friends owned the factory who produced Marc by Marc Jacobs and I get them for free every seasons. After knowing how much it costed the to make the clothes, I always wonder how much LVMH paid for the PR and everything else. (well, at least their tags are honest)
And because I know the skills of Chinese workers are not on par with what the Italians or the French are, I would prefer the clothes to be made, honestly in Europe. In today's world, the origin, the mind and the ideas matter the most. It is not say that Chinese designers would not catch up, but I do think it will take longer, several decades perhaps---and I hope, sincerely such days would come.
I am sorry to rant for so long and I thank you all who actually read my boring post. LOL.
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